Locking up veteran Williams should be priority for Vikings

By Krupka  |   Friday, June 15, 2007  |  Comments( 7 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Various published reports have stated that Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress is optimistic that the team can sign veteran defensive tackle Pat Williams to a contract extension. The 34-year-old Williams is entering the final season of a three-year, $13 million deal he signed with the Vikings as an unrestricted free agent in 2005.

Minnesota not only can but should sign the 11-year veteran to the extension he wants. Some may point to his age or body type as a reason to be wary, but Williams' two seasons with the team have arguably been the best of his career.

The 317-pounder anchors the league's best run defense, and he was named to his first Pro Bowl last season. And durability shouldn't be a factor, either, as Williams hasn't missed a game since the 2001 season.

Along with linemate Kevin Williams, Pat Williams has helped form what is arguably the best defensive tackle tandem in the entire NFL, and the twosome has earned the nickname "Williams Wall." Pat is a prolific run stuffer while Kevin brings more in the pass-rushing department. In 2004 Kevin Williams earned All-Pro honors, and he has been named to two Pro Bowl teams in his first four years.

With the younger Williams, Kevin, receiving a seven-year extension toward the end of last season, it only makes sense to lock up Pat, keeping the duo together that has helped transform Minnesota from a team known for its defensive deficiencies over the years into an upper-echelon unit.

And Minnesota fans have the Buffalo Bills to thank. If it wasn't for the Bills, the Vikings never would have had the Williams duo. Why, you ask? Because Buffalo's former general manager, Tom Donahoe, thought Pat Williams was too old and had no desire to re-sign the tackle after the 2004 season.

On the first day of free agency in March 2005, Minnesota signed the veteran defensive tackle. And, as they say, the rest was history.

In May, he told a Minnesota newspaper: "I just want to be treated right because I always do what's right. I never complain and I come to work on time. I don't have any problems playing for coach Childress. I love (defensive line coach Karl) Dunbar. I think he's the best D-line coach in the league. I love playing next to Kevin. I want to finish my career here."

It's now time for owner Zygi Wilf and Co. to make it happen and not risk losing a leader on the defense.

-You can reach Eric Krupka at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Get weekly Minnesota Vikings news and insights at RealFootball365.com
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CommentsComments: 7  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Archangel		09:54 AM
06/15/2007
If there was ever a Viking whose play and efficiency speak for themselves, in this regard, Pat Williams is the man. Yeah, I...
No.2
michael		06:24 PM
06/15/2007
Agreed. Pat Williams was an excellent pick-up and needs to be re-signed. He is the center piece to a great run defense and should...
No.3
Dean Sellner		11:03 PM
06/15/2007
If the Vikings are really serious about building a contending team, locking up Pat Williams should be a "no brainer". He's an...
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